Why you will fail to have a great career | Larry Smith | TEDxUW

Summary

In this humorous and thought-provoking speech, the economist speaker challenges the audience's approach to career success. They argue that the common belief in 'pursuing your passion' is often ignored due to fear or laziness. The speaker debunks various excuses people make for not following their dreams, such as relying on luck or being 'too normal' for greatness. They emphasize the importance of distinguishing between mere interest and true passion, and the need to overcome the fear of failure to achieve a truly great career, rather than settling for mediocrity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker humorously suggests that most people will fail to have a great career because they are not pursuing their passions.
• 🎓 Despite popular advice to 'follow your passion,' many choose not to, making excuses and settling for 'good' instead of 'great'.
• 🤔 The speaker questions why individuals are reluctant to pursue their dreams, suggesting it might be due to laziness, fear, or the belief that finding passion is too difficult.
• 🤑 The belief that great careers are a matter of luck is debunked, emphasizing that success requires action, not just hope.
• 🧠 The speaker points out that being 'competent' is no longer enough in a world where excellence is the standard for a great career.
• 🤷‍♂️ The fear of being 'weird' or obsessive is identified as a barrier to pursuing one's passion, which the speaker argues is necessary for a great career.
• 💪 The myth that hard work alone will lead to a great career is challenged, with the speaker asserting that purposeful work is more important than just working hard.
• 💔 The speaker warns that not pursuing one's passion can lead to a life of regret, symbolized by a hypothetical tombstone that commemorates a life of missed potential.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker criticizes the excuse of prioritizing family and relationships over career success, suggesting that this is a cop-out for not facing one's fears.
• 🚫 The speaker concludes by emphasizing that fear is the primary reason people fail to achieve greatness in their careers, urging the audience to confront their fears.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is the reasons why people fail to have a great career, focusing on the common excuses and misconceptions that prevent individuals from pursuing their passions and achieving their full potential.

Why does the speaker believe that people who aim for 'good' careers will also fail?

The speaker believes that people aiming for 'good' careers will fail because good jobs are disappearing, and there is a lack of middle ground between great careers and high-stress, soul-destroying jobs.

What is the first excuse the speaker mentions that people use to avoid pursuing their passion?

The first excuse mentioned is the belief that great careers are a matter of luck, and that one should simply wait for luck to bring them a great career.

How does the speaker refute the idea that being 'completely competent' is enough to guarantee a great career in the modern era?

The speaker refutes this idea by stating that in the past, being competent might have been enough, but in the current time (almost 2012), simply being competent is the faintest of praise and not enough to stand out and achieve a great career.

What does the speaker suggest is the difference between having an 'interest' and having a 'passion'?

The speaker suggests that an interest is a mild form of engagement with an activity, whereas passion is a deep, all-consuming love for something that drives one to create the highest expression of their talent.

Why does the speaker criticize the strategy of working hard as a means to achieve a great career?

The speaker criticizes this strategy because working hard alone does not guarantee a great career; it only ensures that one will have the opportunity to work hard, but not necessarily achieve the success and fulfillment they desire.

What is the humorous example the speaker gives to illustrate the difference between merging interests and having a deep, passionate love?

The speaker uses the humorous example of a friend who proposed to his girlfriend by suggesting they merge their interests, listing all the other women he considered, which ultimately led to her leaving and him realizing he narrowly escaped marrying an irrational person.

What is the speaker's view on the idea that one must sacrifice personal relationships to achieve a great career?

The speaker challenges this idea, suggesting that it is a false dichotomy and that one can be a great friend, spouse, or parent while also pursuing a great career. The speaker implies that using personal relationships as an excuse is a way to avoid the fear of pursuing one's passion.

What is the 'unless' the speaker refers to as a potential turning point for those who might fail to have a great career?

The 'unless' refers to the possibility that individuals might overcome their fears, excuses, and misconceptions to actually pursue their passions and take action towards achieving a great career.

How does the speaker use the concept of 'destiny' to encourage the audience to find their passion?

The speaker uses the concept of 'destiny' to inspire the audience to look beyond mere interests and find their true passion, which is the highest expression of their talent and could lead them to their destined path of greatness.

What is the final message the speaker leaves the audience with regarding the pursuit of a great career?

The final message is that the audience should not let fear, excuses, or the desire to maintain the status quo prevent them from pursuing their passion and achieving a great career, as this could lead to regret and missed opportunities.